National unity already formed against militancy: PM

17 July,2016

RTNN News Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has bemoaned that the Gulshan terror attack has dented the country’s prestigious position at the global stage earned through facing militancy, terrorism and gearing up development activities.

“We’re marching towards development and have taken the country to an esteemed position…I had talked louder when I had last joined Asem summit…but Bangladesh is now experiencing what other parts of the world are doing,” she said.

Hasina came up with the remarks at a press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban on her Mongolia tour on Sunday, reprots UNB.

She lamented that though there was a perception that mainly madrasa students and children from poor families get involved in militancy, now it is seen the children from well-off families are indulging in terrorism though their demands hardly remain unfulfilled.

“The children of rich families are indulging in terrorism with a lust for having Hur-Pori hereafter,” she said.

World leaders discussed exchanging intelligence reports on militancy

Hasina also said the world leaders at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) discussed reaching a consensus on exchanging intelligence reports on militancy among states.

She said: “Militancy is not a crisis in Bangladesh only, it is a serious threat for the whole world. The world leaders have expressed deep concern about the recent militant attacks in different countries. During the summit, we had a consensus on getting united to tackle terrorism. We have discussed on how to exchange intelligence reports among states.”

The prime minister said she had also sought cooperation from the world leaders regarding how to identify the criminals who had been inspiring and financing militancy, and why innocent children from rich families are getting involved in criminal activities.

Replying to a query of a journalist, the prime minister said: “The national unity against terrorism and militancy has been formed, which has already started its activities.”

Hasina also said the world leaders had congratulated her government for strong stand after the Dhaka terror attack.

She returned home on Saturday evening after a three-day visit to Mongolia to attend the 11th ASEM summit in Ulaanbaatar on July 15-16.

The ASEM leaders have highly praised the prime minister for her strides to combat terrorism and assured that their countries would remain with Bangladesh in fighting the demon.